"Soldier of Orange planned coup '

Even former prime minister Pieter Gerbrandy played a role, can be read in a new biography about a confidant of Queen Wilhelmina, François van 't Sant.

Writer Sytze van der Zee was a letter from Van 't Sant against that which the queen warns the plot. The coup leaders had asked him to inform the queen about their plans, Van der Zee writes in Her Majesty's loyal subject. They hoped that Wilhelmina would choose their side and would stand aside.

The conspirators were dissatisfied Linggarjati Agreement, which paved the way for the independence of the Dutch East Indies. Right organizations and former resistance members were strongly against it. They believed that the agreement was contrary to the Constitution.

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The main characters

François van 't Sant - Wash as chief of police in The Hague, a friend of the royal family. As a confidant of Queen Wilhelmina and Juliana he helped delicate issues such as the escapades of Prince Henry and the Greet Hofmans affair. It was during World War II, head of the Central Intelligence Service of the Dutch government in exile.

Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy - ARP politician, by Willhelmina himself during WWII appointed as Prime Minister of the Dutch government in London. Then sat from 1948 to 1956 in the Lower House.

Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema - Departed as to England from the occupied Netherlands to come back later as a resistance member and war pilot. Was confidant of Wilhelmina and became known as Soldier of Orange, the title of his autobiography. His opposition time was filmed with Rutger Hauer in the title role.

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Coincidentally preserved

Many details about the plot have not survived because the people involved have thoroughly sanitized their archives. Van 't Sant left after his death, even though his personal papers burned. A copy of the letter to the Queen because he was kept in a drawer among some other papers lay. A grandson Van 't Sant took him years later.

The date of the coup was very clear, April 24, 1947. Part of the coup plannnen was an assassination PvdA chairman Koos Vorrink, writes Van der Zee. Furthermore, would be declared the state of emergency in the Netherlands, and the second man of the armed forces in India that would take power.

Gerbrandy would be appointed prime minister. Through the radio, newspapers and posters, the Dutch were to be informed of the change of power.
Betray

The coup attempt ultimately fell through because the military intelligence was tipped. When the coup plotters got their air, the plan was shelved. Via courier and telegraph all conspirators were at the last minute informed.

Yet the plot Vorrink was almost even fatal, because the two men who would commit the murder could not be reached. But because Vorrink was not at home, the two sought Gerbrandy, who thanked them with a handshake. He said: "The Fatherland will you be grateful."

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